Free testing for nitrates in Benton County well water

The Benton Conservation District is offering free testing for nitrate levels in well water to land and homeowners in Benton County.

The Benton Franklin Health District recommends testing domestic wells at least every three years or more often if an area has a history of high nitrate levels or there is a newborn or pregnant woman in the home. Nitrates in drinking water can cause a serious health condition called “blue baby syndrome.”

Testing will be done by appointment weekdays from morning through early evening.

Some well owners will be invited to participate in a voluntary study that could include free nitrate testing twice a year. Testing is being paid for with a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to learn more about nitrate contamination in Benton County.

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